MSP fears loss of police resources when alcohol unit closes

AN MSP has expressed concerns that police officers will be diverted away from front-line duties in Inverness to deal with the consequences of the closure of a “drunk tank”.

Dave Thompson told Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill at Holyrood yesterday that he feared the demise of Beechwood House, where people go to sober up, could affect police numbers.

David Ross, secretary of the Northern Constabulary branch of the Scottish Police Federation, has also warned that the move will have a “significant impact” on officers who will be forced to take care of drunks in the cells at Burnett Road police station instead.

Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Mr Thompson said: “I am concerned the recent decision to close Beechwood House will effectively reduce the number of bobbies on the beat in Inverness. Is the Cabinet secretary satisfied that suitable alternative arrangements are in place to minimise that diversion of bobbies from the beat in order to look after drunk and incapable people who may end up in the cells?”

Mr MacAskill acknowledged the closure of the eight-bed unit, which looked after around 900 people last year, will result in some people having to be taken to police cells to sober up.

However, he added that it is not anticipated that officers will be diverted from front-line duties as custody suite staff will deal with drunk and incapable people.

Speaking after the exchange, Mr Thompson said: “Although I am pleased to see provisions appear to be in place to deal with drunk and incapables overnight, looking after them will cost more to the force in the way of time and resources as well as extra paperwork and court cases.

“That is not the kind of issue we want our bobbies to be pulled from the beat for.”

The centre, run by CrossReach, the social care wing of the Church of Scotland, has taken more than 17,000 admissions since opening in 1991 following a string of deaths of alcoholics in police custody.

Despite a major campaign, it is closing after efforts to find replacement funding after Highland Council withdrew its annual £200,000 contribution failed.

Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership (HADP), regarded as a potential source of cash, said it would develop replacement services, but would not offer funding.

A spokeswoman for Northern Constabulary said it is working with the HADP to identify appropriate measures to address the needs of people whose lives have been affected by alcohol.

Beechwood House is scheduled to close next Wednesday.